If you are careless with your car repairs, you can end up shelling out a lot of money. In addition to becoming educated about the car model you have, you can learn other things. Keep reading to save money and time on auto repairs.

Before going with a particular shop, get auto repair feedback from your friends. You may get a few recommendations from your friends and family that make your search easier. Research any recommendations you get. At least try to find some online reviews on the shops that they recommend.

Check to see that the technician is certified. Look for the NIAE seal of approval. This will tell you that your mechanic really understands what he does, and you are more likely to be satisfied with your service.

Always keep your ears open to the noises coming from your car. Noise can mean a lot when it comes to a problem that a car is having. If the sound can be described to the vehicle repair people you speak with then you may save time and money because they can diagnose what's going on quickly.

Put reminders on your calendar that tell you when to have your oil changed. In order for your vehicle to run as well as possible, you need to have the oil changed regularly. When you skip an oil change, your car's life is shortened.

When you know some more about necessary car repairs, look online to see the costs. Be sure to compare prices for vehicles that are similar to yours, and the cost of the services of a certified mechanic.

Don't leave it too long to get your car checked out when the check engine light illuminates on your dashboard. Even if you don't think anything is wrong, it is important to have the car checked out. If you notice nothing is wrong with the your automobile, you might just need to adjust your dashboard computer.

Get multiple estimates if you're in need of major service. Most shops are on the up and up, but some will charge you for things that aren't necessary. Try and locate a shop that specializes in servicing your particular type of car. These shops are more likely to understand how to perform the repairs your car needs.

It is not always necessary to change the oil in your car every 3,000 miles. That is an archaic rule that has been passed down through generations. Newer cars don't require an oil change until 5,000 miles have been reached. Some do not need an oil change for 10,000 miles. Read your car's owner manual for the manufacturer's recommendation.

It is acceptable to delay small repairs but you need to take your vehicle to a repair shop as soon as possible if there are problems with your steering wheel, your tires, brakes or the electrical system. Not getting these problems taken care of is a threat to your safety.

As you have likely surmised, there are many benefits to learning about auto repair. Teach others what you know, and do not hesitate to go to a mechanic if you are not skilled enough to fix your problem. Use these tips and fix problems yourself only if you are comfortable enough.

BMW Group and Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) are pursuing their successful strategic long-term cooperation in the field of sustainable mobility today by signing binding agreements aimed at long-term collaboration between the two companies for the joint development of a fuel cell system, joint development of architecture and components for a sports vehicle, and joint research and development of lightweight technologies. These agreements follow a memorandum of understanding signed in June 2012.

Furthermore, BMW Group and TMC also today signed a binding agreement to commence collaborative research on lithium-air batteries, a post-lithium-battery solution. This agreement marks the second phase of collaborative research into next-generation lithium-ion battery cells that commenced in March 2012.

The main points of the agreements are:

1. Fuel cell system - The companies are convinced that fuel cell technology is one of the solutions necessary to achieve zero emissions. BMW Group and TMC are to share their technologies and to jointly develop a fundamental fuel-cell vehicle system, including not only a fuel cell stack and system, but also a hydrogen tank, motor and battery, aiming for completion in 2020. - The companies are to collaborate in jointly developing codes and standards for the hydrogen infrastructure which are necessary for the popularization of fuel cell vehicles.

2. Sports vehicle - The companies agreed to set-up a feasibility study to define a joint platform concept for a mid-size sports vehicle that is to be completed by the end of 2013. The two companies aim to combine each other’s technology and knowledge at a high level to maximize customer satisfaction. Both companies are to share the vision to further collaborate in the field of sports vehicle development.

3. Lightweight technology - The companies are to jointly develop lightweight technologies for vehicle bodies using cutting-edge materials such as reinforced composites, with an eye to utilize these technologies in cooperation on the joint development of a sports-vehicle platform as well as other BMW and TMC vehicles.

4. Post-lithium-battery technology - The companies are to begin joint research with a goal to develop a lithium-air battery with energy density greatly exceeding that of current lithium-ion batteries.

Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG said: “TMC and the BMW Group share the same strategic vision of future sustainable mobility. In light of the technological changes ahead, the entire automotive industry faces tremendous challenges, which we also regard as an opportunity. This collaboration is an important building block in keeping both companies on a successful course in the future.”

Akio Toyoda, President of TMC said: “It is just over a year since we signed our collaborative MoU, and with each day as our relationship strengthens, we feel acutely that we are making steadfast progress. Now, we are entering the phase that promises the fruit. While placing importance on what we learn from the joint development, we will work hard together in reaching our common goal of making ever-better cars.”

BMW Group and TMC first agreed to form a medium-to-long-term collaborative relationship for developing next-generation environment-friendly vehicles and technologies in December 2011, at which time the two companies also signed a contract under which BMW Group is to supply highly efficient diesel engines to Toyota Motor Europe. BMW Group and TMC - as long-term strategic partners - have since continued their joint efforts to realize sustainable mobility for the future.

By : BMW GROUP US

Buying a brand new car can be quite the hassle if you don't know what your doing. You may be tempted to buy the first car you like, but this is a mistake! Read through this article and learn some useful information for anyone in the market for a new vehicle.

You should take the car-buying process very seriously. Many people are so happy about the prospect of buying a car that they do not think of the seriousness of the task. Buying a car is a serious financial investment, and you should do all you can to remain businesslike.

Before going to dealer, have a budget set. Know how much you are willing to spend, and do not exceed that limit. Do this well in advance of entering the showroom. Once you are there, it is tempting to buy extras you do not need or cannot afford. Have a budget.

When trying to determine your budget for a new car, don't just look at the sticker price. Rather, you should look a the total cost of owning that particular car. Some models cost a lot more to own than others so always keep this in mind when trying to decide which car to choose.

Here is an idea, do all your car shopping even Did you know you can actually find and purchase a car online? Most dealerships have websites where you can shop from the comfort of your computer. You do not have to deal with pushy salesmen, the weather, or even putting on decent clothes.

Check out all the financing options available to you both at the dealership and elsewhere. At the dealer, find out if they offer you cash back offers, reduced rates or other options. Compare the end result of each if you take it. Then go to your bank and find out what they offer.

Find out how much your bank is offering for car loans, and then take their offer to other financial institutions. Next, take all of those offers to the dealership. Sometimes you can use a lower offer from another institution to get a better offer from the institution you actually want to borrow from.

As a general rule, try and purchase your vehicle towards the end of the month. While most dealers are always motivated to sell you a car, they will be particularly willing to give you a deal towards the end of the month, when they have to reach their quota.

Never, ever skip the test drive when you are car shopping. You have to get behind the wheel of that car and see how it feels before committing to a buying it. Make sure you try a variety of driving conditions, including surface streets and interstate driving. Do not forget to try pulling it into a parking space in a shopping center.

As was stated in the beginning of this article, buying a new car can be quite the hassle if you don't know what you are doing. Use the tips mentioned in the article above so that you end up with a car you can be proud of. Just make sure you take your time and you are sure to have a successful experience.

Learning about auto repair may seem overwhelming, however it is much easier than you think. Teaching yourself about cars can really be useful in the future. This information in this article will allow you to fix your car yourself rather than using a mechanic constantly.

Check to see that your technician knows what he is doing. If they ignore your questions or talk in circles, you'd be wise to not use their services. You need to trust a mechanic, and if you do not feel that trust, find another one.

Don't let anyone tell you that getting an engine flushed is something that normally needs to be done during maintenance. This is a costly service and not something that is typically done during the course of normal maintenance.

You can make your tires last longer by rotating them regularly. Every 6k miles is a good rule of thumb, but it differs based on the make and driving frequency. Get new, good quality tires; they won't get worn down very quickly.

Be sure to keep your car's records. You may want to have them in the glove compartment, so you can get to them easily if you need an emergency repair. The auto mechanic can look at the records. It will aid them in figuring out any issues.

OEM parts should be asked for. These parts are issued by the manufacturer of your vehicle. Generic parts may cost less, but you cannot really tell if they are the best quality. It can appear like a deal right now and cost twice the amount later as OEM components to begin with.

Each time you get your vehicle repaired, no matter what the reason, be sure you have a record of it. These past invoices can help the mechanic to diagnose your car if need be. If you don't have a record of past work, it may cost you money and make it hard for the technician to diagnose the problem.

Always keep your ears open to the noises coming from your car. The noises your car makes can be an indicator that something may be wrong. Accurately describing the sound you hear to your mechanic can save you money when it comes to diagnosing the problem.

Don't put water where the windshield washer fluid goes. Water can clean the windshield, but it may damage the compartment since it is designed to use special fluid. Check your compartment when you can to be sure that it gets refills when it needs them. This will help you stay safe while driving on the roads.

Never go with the first estimate you receive. Although shops are generally trustworthy, you may end up paying for extra repairs you don't need. Try and locate a shop that specializes in servicing your particular type of car. These shops are more likely to understand how to perform the repairs your car needs.

You don't have to be worried about car issues when you're educated on simple fixes. You could even attend to some of the repair work yourself and save yourself some money. Use the tips you've just read whenever your car needs some repairs.